Leaders in Columbus, Ga., helped the Army celebrate Fort Benning’s 100th anniversary this past month, but state and local officials continue to look ahead in their effort to support the installation. The state, for example, is proposing to establish a Robotics Center of Innovation at the post, an initiative designed to reinforce Fort Benning’s R&D mission for the infantry, armor and cavalry, reports the Ledger-Enquirer. Autonomous systems have a range of applications for the Army, including clearing areas for troops and military vehicles and transporting heavy loads into combat zones.

“Robotics show great promise for everything from logistics to medical to taking some of the load off the soldier, to going in and being able to provide weapons systems to augment the soldier to make sure he has more and more lethality on the field of combat,” said Gary Jones, executive vice president of military and government affairs at the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce.

Read “Fort Benning 100 Years,” a special series of stories published by the Ledger-Enquirer to celebrate the post’s centennial.